Autosport Forums: F1 fans debate Sirotkin, Kubica and Williams

Sirtokin edged Kubica for the seat, with the Russian announced on Tuesday as Felipe Massa's successor for 2018.

Kubica was later announced as Williams's reserve and development driver.

The Autosport Forums have debated what this means for the futures of Williams, Sirotkin and Kubica:

Hans V: [It's] a really weak driver line-up, probably the worst in F1, and for some time. Sirotkin might surprise though and if he doesn't they have a good plan B in Kubica. Given the situation the team has put itself in it was, however, expected.

RECKLESS: I see only an outcome that makes a lot of sense.

BobE: [For Kubica] to prove to the world that, after such horrible accident and injuries, he can still be in the mix is remarkable. Sirotkin didn't need to prove anything so far, everything was down to money and the best bid for the job. Like it or not. This young chap hasn't shown anything yet and it's his turn now.

Garndell: Very disappointing driver line-up. Pay drivers have their place in F1 - Sauber - but Williams needed experience to temper Stroll, not another driver that isn't a finished article.

I do wonder if they gave real consideration to Kvyat after he was released by Red Bull.

Rjpscr: I don't see this as a bad move for Williams, they get a younger driver that brings more money to the team and they still keep Kubica as 3rd/development driver.

So, if either Stroll or Sirotkin don't perform well in 2018, Robert will be right there to possibly get a seat in '19. Some people need to look at the positives with driver announcements mainly with this one instead of doom and gloom all the time.

MastaKink: I think that's the best Williams can do right now unless they can convince [Sergio] Perez to jump ship with his backers. They need more money to compete with Force India.

Sirotkin isn't anywhere near as bad as being made out and probably is the best sizeable "pay driver" available and Kubica gets the chance for more running in these cars with the new tyres to see if he can indeed get more pace out of them and become the better option.

Everyone's a winner.

clarkma5: This really looks like Williams is failing to invest in the next few years, and is instead treading water and trying to get by. This is what teams look like before they go into multi-year slumps.

Taxi: It was kind of smart: The boy with the money who's not that bad in the car at times, the genuinely fast boy with more money and the reserve experienced star that couldn't go anywhere else, but who fans love and is a real overall asset plus a safe pair of hands.

Well played Williams, well played.

Ali.unal: From Kubica's point of view, this deal is also encouraging. It means Williams is putting great trust in his abilities to get up to speed and develop its car throughout the season, while the team will rely on almost-two rookies.

Very well done. Excited to see if Kubica will show some serious progress and get hired by the Williams or any other team.

Rinehart: I'll be blunt. I expect McLaren and Renault to overtake it [Williams], while driver pairings ahead of Williams have stayed the same, Williams has gone backwards with first replacing Bottas with Stroll and then Massa with Sirotkin.

BuddyHolly: It seems Williams is determined to continue their plunge down the constructors' ranks. Two pay drivers, it'll be a hard season for them.

Nicktendo86: Obviously disappointed that Kubica didn't get the seat and I can't help but feel that the line-up is primarily driven by the financials.

But it isn't like they are two completely useless drivers, they are competent, if not underwhelming drivers.

Can't shake off the feeling however that Williams will really struggle this year.